Capturing the Digital Economy, Globally, at Montana

First promotional efforts for University of Montana’s Central and Southwest Asia Center conference April 1-2, 2026 (with Montana World Affairs Council)

Plus, more digital infrastructure deals of big proportions are captured, on LinkedIn

Radio interview launch of U. Montana conference

Listen to whole episode.

Claude’s summary readout of interview (Chronological)

This transcript is from a radio interview on October 22, 2025, with Jennifer Warren from Concept Elemental, discussing the impact of data centers, AI, and digital infrastructure on energy demand. The interview was conducted ahead of the Central Southwest Asian Institute's annual conference (April 1-2, 2026), where Warren will be a speaker.
Data Center Growth and Energy Demand
- Current Growth: The U.S. had 2,000 data centers in 2020, projected to reach 3,000 by 2030
- Major Developments: Meta announced a 5-gigawatt campus in Louisiana; Texas expects 5+ gigawatts of growth by 2030
- Texas Specifics:
  - Current peak demand: ~85-87 gigawatts (hot summer conditions)
  - ERCOT projects 145 gigawatts needed by 2030
  - More conservative utility estimates: 105-110 gigawatts (3% growth)
  - Existing nameplate capacity: 160 gigawatts
2. Infrastructure Challenges
- Regional Variations: Different grids face different challenges (Texas ERCOT vs. Virginia PJM vs. other regions)
- Virginia Market: Expected to grow from just under 20 gigawatts between now and 2030
- Dallas Market: Second-largest data center market in the U.S. (after Virginia), facing capacity constraints
- Build Times: Data centers take ~2 years to build; power plants take 3-5 years
Nuclear Power:
- Strong interest from both Biden and Trump administrations
- Trump administration pushing for 400 gigawatts by 2050
- Nuclear matches AI/data center loads well (steady baseload power)
- Small modular reactors and demonstration projects in development
- IRA legislation included nuclear incentives
Natural Gas:
- Texas has $10 billion energy fund for natural gas facilities
- Sandow Lakes Ranch: 1.2 gigawatt natural gas facility coming online in 2028
- Western Haynesville Shale play in East Texas positioning for data center demand
Renewables:
- Significant wind and solar capacity in interconnection queues (not yet grid-connected)
- Texas has curtailed renewable energy that could be utilized
- North Dakota has stranded wind assets being put to use
4. Grid Modernization Needs
- Innovation in grid management approaches
- Better technology utilization to reduce waste
- Learning to deal with grids differently
- Market signals for supply and demand crucial
- Avoiding overbuilding to prevent stranded assets
- Location: Ellendale, North Dakota (population ~1,000)
- Project Scale: $15-25 billion total investment
- Capacity: Will become a full gigawatt campus
- Type: AI factory with high-density GPUs (formerly crypto mining operation)
- Client: CoreWeave
- Power Source: Using stranded wind power assets
- Significance: Largest CapEx project in North Dakota history
- Advantages: Good fiber infrastructure, abundant stranded renewables, business-friendly climate
6. Water Usage Concerns
- Data centers traditionally use significant water for cooling
- Innovation: Newer facilities using liquid cooling that doesn't require water
- Development occurring in water-stressed areas forcing innovation
- Hyperscalers (Meta, Google, Microsoft) maintaining sustainability commitments
- USC Marshall School study available on regional water impacts
- Labor and Construction
  - Concerns about labor shortages vary by location
  - Example: Stargate Abilene had 4,000-5,000 workers on-site 24/7
  - Workforce development important for regions seeking growth
  - Some regions losing population without new economic development
- Federal Reserve Data: For first time in 2024, IT and AI infrastructure investment represented 1.1% of U.S. GDP growth (out of 1.6% total)
- Capital Spending: Top hyperscalers investing ~$460 billion in 2024
- Recent Deal: $40 billion investment in Dallas private data center developer (one of largest Dallas deals)
- Long-term Contracts: 15-year tenant agreements (versus volatile oil/gas sector)
- Economic Development: Providing growth opportunities for regions losing other industries
8. Community and Stakeholder Considerations
- Data centers built where communities want growth
- Stakeholder input integral to development process
- Not a "one size fits all" situation
- Communities can weigh in on development
- Different from oil/gas boom-bust cycles due to long-term stable contracts
Warren emphasized the need to distinguish between:
- Hyperbolic projections versus actual demand
- Announcements versus real developments
- Conservative estimates versus aggressive forecasts
Her research aims to provide "grounded" analysis of true demand and realistic infrastructure needs.
1. Energy demand growth is real but likely more incremental and thoughtful than dramatic projections suggest
2. Multiple energy sources needed: nuclear for baseload, natural gas for reliability, renewables where appropriate
3. Grid modernization and innovation crucial to meeting demand efficiently
4. Water usage concerns being addressed through technological innovation
5. Significant economic driver contributing measurably to GDP growth
6. Community acceptance and long-term planning essential
7. Different from previous boom-bust cycles due to stable long-term contracts
8. Regional variations require localized solutions rather than national one-size-fits-all approach